Fig. 1: Synthesis scheme and characterizations of MnSb2Te4 nanosheets.
From: Phase-controlled growth of 2D crystals of the MB2T4 family via a flux-assisted method
a Phase-controlled growth schematic of MnSb2Te4 via the flux-assisted method. b Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) results of the flux and the mixed reactants, showing that the melting points of both are close to 650 °C. c Comparison of nine typical fluxes with different melting points based on FTsalt–FACT salt phase diagrams30. The blue part indicates deliquescent, moisture-absorbing cosolvents; the cyan part contains salts with melting points above 650 °C that may cause phase separation; and the red region marks salts that tend to alter the MB2T4 stoichiometry. d Histogram of 156 samples with various Mn: Sb molar ratios at different temperatures to determine proper growth conditions, where 650, 670, 700, 730, and 760 °C are set as the growth temperatures. e Diagram of reaction thermodynamics and kinetic competition as a function of temperature. The blue region represents kinetically hindered growth, and the red region indicates thermodynamically hindered conditions. f Optical images of MnSb2Te4 nanosheets on mica. g Atomic force microscopy (AFM) image of a ~2.4 nm MnSb2Te4 nanosheet, with the inset showing the corresponding height profile. h Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping of a ~450 μm region shows elemental distributions of different nanosheets. i Histogram of Mn:Sb ratios for 44 samples grown at 700 °C, where ~72.7% are close to the ideal 1:2 stoichiometry.
